12 Human Foods You Can Safely Feed to Betta Fish

Betta fish, which are sometimes referred to as Siamese fighting fish, have amazing appetites! In nature, they are total carnivores, devouring insects and larvae for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, in a domestic environment, betta fish often have omnivorous diets. Does that mean betta fish can enjoy human food? Let’s find out!

It’s recommended to feed your betta fish a diet of high-protein betta pellets twice a day. These pellets deliver the protein punch that betta fish need to thrive. Make sure to purchase pellets specifically made for betta fish, as they have unique needs that won’t be satisfied by other fish food.

While betta fish enjoy pellets, there are times you may want to vary their diet. Whether by necessity or curiosity, there are some human foods you can feed your fish that they will absolutely love! Keep in mind that your betta fish thrive off of protein-rich diets, so these foods should be served sparingly to your pet. They can’t survive off of any one of these human foods.

If you’re low on pellets or if you’re just looking to mix up your fish’s diet, here are twelve human foods your betta fish can safely enjoy.

1. Leafy Greens

There are a few different types of leafy green that you can feed your betta fish, including lettuce. Giving your fish a piece of lettuce or spinach will boost nutrients for your fish that they don’t always get from pellets. Leafy greens make a cheap, easy, and safe food substitute for your pet.

2. Peas

Another human food you can give to your betta fish is peas. You’ll want to be sure to boil the peas prior to serving them to make sure that your fish can digest them. Peas are a great source of fiber and an excellent supplement to your fish’s diet

3. Apples

Bettas love fruits! There are a lot of fruits that betta fish can enjoy, including apples. Apples are sweet and delicious, making a great treat for your pet. Be sure to be sparing with apple portions, as too much apple can overwhelm your betta’s system. They should be served as treats.

4. Sweet Corn

Another human food you can feed to your betta fish is sweet corn. Lots of non-human species enjoy diving in on sweet corn, betta fish included! However, kernels of sweet corn aren’t particularly nutritious and can cause harm to your fish if overfed. Be conservative in feeding your sweet fish sweet corn!

5. Cucumber

Another vegetable that your betta fish may enjoy is a cucumber. There are a few steps to prepare your cucumber for betta fish consumption, though. Start by blanching the cucumber to soften the insides. You’ll also need to remove all the seeds from the pieces you intend to serve your betta. Cut the cucumber up into tiny pieces and feed!

6. Mango

Betta fish generally seem to enjoy the flavors of fruits. Fruits are sweet and sugar-dense, with a few nutrients mixed in, as well. Mango is a fruit that can be served to your betta but requires some preparation. You’ll want to remove any portion of the mango that is difficult to digest, including the skin and, of course, the pit. Cut the meat of the mango into very tiny pieces and serve. Like apples, mangos are not meant to be enjoyed by betta fish often.

7. Pears

Like apples and mangos, pears are human food fruits that betta fish tend to really enjoy. You’ll want to be diligent in preparation, ensuring that the pear is soft enough to be munched on by your pet. Remove the skin and cut the pear into tiny pieces. You’ll want to serve all fruits as if they were treats. They should not be central parts of your betta’s diet!

8. Strawberries

Strawberries are another delicious human food option for your betta fish. As is the case with all fruits on this list, make sure that strawberries occupy only a small portion of your fish’s diet. Betta fish’s primary food group should be protein and, of course, strawberries don’t have a lot of protein! Consider the full picture of your betta’s diet before adding in sweet foods like strawberries.

9. Cantaloupe

Betta fish love melon! Their favorite type of melon, it seems, is cantaloupe. When sorting out how to feed your fish cantaloupe, consider the portions of the melon that humans eat. We scoop out the guts and avoid the rind. The same is true for betta fish. Only serve them tiny portions of the orange part of the melon. Make sure the seeds and the rind are avoided, as they cannot be properly digested.

10. Egg yolk

Egg yolks are a perfect, protein-rich treat for your little betta fish. While they’re full of proteins, yolks still shouldn’t occupy a huge portion of your fish’s diet. To prepare the egg yolk for consumption, boil an egg and then remove the yolk. You’ll want to dry out the yolk by flattening it and then serve the yolk to your fish in chips. If the yolk is put directly into the water, you’re at risk of contaminating the tank.

11. Seafood

Betta fish can dine on all sorts of seafood, including shrimp and scallops. To prepare these treats for your fish, cut them up into tiny pieces, avoiding shells and things that are difficult to digest. Make sure not to season the seafood, though.

12. Chicken

As is the case with seafood, betta fish can enjoy chicken as a protein substitute on occasion. Boiled, unseasoned chicken cut up into small pieces can provide your betta fish with their necessary nutrients.